We use cookies to distinguish you from other users and to provide you with a better experience on our websites. Close this message to accept cookies or find out how to manage your cookie settings.
We use cookies to distinguish you from other users and to provide you with a better experience on our websites. Close this message to accept cookies or find out how to manage your cookie settings.
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 27 June 2025
What is a combinatorial game? The usual definition is a game in which
(i) there are two players moving alternately;
(ii) there are no chance devices and both players have perfect information;
(iii) the rules are such that the game must eventually end; and
(iv) there are no draws, and the winner is determined by who moves last.
In this section, two master expositors lead us through many examples of such games, and introduce the theory that has been developed to deal with them (pages 13-78). As an appetizer, you may prefer to read first J. H. Conway's charming study (pages 3-12) of a game that does not satisfy this definition, because it may well be endless. Or, if you already know the basic theory and are dying for action, turn to the reports of the Workshop tournament finals, on pages 79-89; or download the Gamesman's Toolkit, described on pages 93-98. Have fun!
To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure no-reply@cambridge-org.demo.remotlog.com is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part of your Kindle email address below. Find out more about saving to your Kindle.
Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. ‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. ‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.
Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service.
To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.
To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.
